“This is a beautiful, second-chance romance with so many feels! You will cheer and swoon for Mac and Hardin as they fight to find their way back to each other. Filled with heart, sizzling chemistry, and compelling characters who walk off the pages, Hearts Don’t Lie is a true romantic gem that proves love really does conquer all.”Nina LaneNew York Times and USA Today bestselling authorCan a person … authorCan a person find their true love at sixteen?
Hardin Ambrose knew he had found his soulmate when he was a high school soccer phenom.
McKenna (Mac) Vesley was sunshine to his soul.
The girl he never dreamed existed.
The person he didn’t know he needed.
Mac has never forgotten the boy she gave her heart to.
The boy who changed her life forever.
Hardin was all her dreams come true.
Twelve years ago, under the steamy Illinois night sky, they planned their forever together.
But forever never came.
Twelve years later, Hardin still searches for his Mac—the girl who slipped away.
Twelve years later he has the chance to grasp forever,
for hearts don’t lie.
But after all this time, does Mac want the same?
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Hearts Don’t Lie is a feel good romance that gave me all the wonderful giddy feelings that a true romance should provide. It made me cry and made my heart sore! My heart pitter pattered within the first paragraphs of the novel. Bishops writes a story about first and last love plus the many hazards that come between. The book delves into the world of Mac and Hardin two teens in love, and not the usual teen lust, but the forever love that we all seek. These two are soulmates, and despite their parents disapproval they have a plan for that forever. The characters are very mature for their age, but not in a contrived way, they are both extremely believable. The maturity comes from both of their backstories. The book details with what happens when promises are broken and lives are shattered. Since this is a second chance romance, not all ends with broken promises. Bishop does a stellar job of telling a story where the love of a lifetime is known in her characters hearts, and she gave me the happy flutters of love in my soul.
I highly recommend this book, because it is Bishops best book, and the narrative flows so organically. I am a stickler for believability so after reading, I had to think could this plot really happen in the age of instance information. After letting google be my guide and sitting back and thinking the plot is totally believable. Which I love because I didn’t have to suspend disbelief to have enjoy this heartfelt romance.
Mac and Hardin fell in love when they were young, they loved each other really much and they easily became a rock for each other because of their disfunctional families. When Hardin went to the North Carolina college, leaving Mac to finish her last semester in high school, their paths diverged and they lost track of each other.
When they finally meet again twelve years later in Colorado it seems like time didn’t pass and even if Mac tries to keep some distance their attraction and love are too strong to ignore.
Will Mac secret definitely ruin their relationship? Or will Hardin accept it and love her even more than he did in the past?
I really liked the main characters. Mac and Hardin are two pure souls meant to be together forever.
I couldn’t not to get invested in their story and to wish they could find a way to get back in touch with each other.
This was the first time I read a Sutton Bishop’s book and I appreciated how this nice second chance at love story was told.
This is the 1st book in a new series and is Hardin and Mac’s story. These Two come from totally different backgrounds, yet they knew from a young age that they were soulmates who were there for each other throughout. When Hardin leaves to attend college, Mac is left behind to finish her last semester, and due to circumstances their lives headed in different directions. Now 12-years later Hardin is an international soccer star, and Mac has her own business, and they reconnect. This is a beautifully written tale which is filled with secrets, emotions, drama, heartbreak, and is a poignant 2nd chance love story. I recommend this for all.
3.5 Stars
Hearts Don’t Lie is the first book by Sutton I’ve read and it was an enjoyable second chance love story. Mac was the girl from the wrong side of town who fell for Hardin the local good boy who was going places. The story is told both in past and present so we get to see the young couple fall in love and how it all fell apart. Kenna was a good strong character to read she was a fighter and a good role model. Hardin has searched for his lost love for years and I loved that he never gave up. I enjoyed both the pace of the story and the characters and was happy that it wasn’t all hearts and flowers immediately.The one thing I would have liked was more of Hardin’s perspective.
How do you write a review for this and not ruin anything? I kinda want to describe it via Nigella Lawson style but sadly my vocabulary is subpar. All I can say is that I adore this story of Mac and Hardin so much. The adversity of these two young people is unbelievable. Mac/ Mckenna and Hardin are high school sweethearts but knew they were the ones for each other. Mac comes from the wrong side of the tracks but is a diamond in the rough because of her Mother who is emotional and physically withdrawn from her. Hardin comes from a well to do family but they don’t know how to show affection to him or his brothers. Mac and Hardin are both athletic, but meet during a rival high school soccer meet. They make plans for their future together, but that night their plans are quickly to be changed. 12 years they were separated, Will Hardin and Mac get the answers they need from one another to resolve the day after that one night? Will there still be chemistry between them still? I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book. I highly recommend reading this.
This was breathtaking! I couldn’t put it down! I read it in one sitting
5 heartfelt stars
Hearts Don’t Lie is an emotionally deep story about young love, stolen love and thankfully found love.
Mac is a young girl from the wrong side of the tracks that captures the attention of a handsome man, who is a soccer protégé, from the other side of the tracks. This couple falls madly in love and they have great plans for the future.
This story spoke of love and passion, of deceit and prejudice, but mostly it captured my heart with hope and strength.
Beautiful story!
This book made me want to believe that if it’s true love it will always find a way. Mac & Hardin went through so much growing up. Crappy parents on both sides even though they grew up on vastly different sides of the economic line. Just goes to show that you never know what someone’s life is like & you shouldn’t judge just because they have money or not.
I loved watching these two find their love & happiness again. This was a bittersweet second chance romance that is a quick & really enjoyable read. You’ll fall in love with all the characters from Piñon Ridge.
I received an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
Hearts Don’t Lie (Piñon Ridge)
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Sutton Bishop has brought a beautiful second chance romance full of pain, strength and healing.
You will fall in love with each character and feel the pain and heartache they endure. Sutton will bring you through this emotional story in the end, wipe your tears and have you wishing it didn’t end.
Hearts Don’t Lie is a captivating second chance romance. Young lovers Mac and Hardin found one another at a young age but were separated for years due to the deceit and betrayal of those closest to them. Despite unfathomable pain and loss, they created successful lives apart before finding their way back to one another. Sutton Bishop does a great job of intertwining the past with the present, guiding the reader toward a heartwarming reunion and a finale that tugs at your heartstrings.
Bishop broaches sensitive topics in the book, yet she weaves the subject matter into a fulfilling story of trust and fierce love that transcends all odds.
I don’t know about you, but I needed a story with a happy ending right about now. Bishop’s lovely book confirms that true love, and young love, can endure the test of time.
What a beautiful story! All that heart! So many feelings! I cried but I also rejoiced and loved all the beautiful souls that are portrayed here. What a heartfelt book!
Mac and Hardin were high school sweethearts. He comes from a rich family, she lived in a trailer park. Both were smart, good students. He was a cocky soccer player, burdened with the heavy expectations of his parents. Everyone wanted a piece of him, looking at him as the rich boy, the soccer star; the only one who truly looked at him and wanted the person he was, was Mac. But their love was doomed by their parents, and they were torn apart.
Twelve years later, Mac has a different name (Kenna), is a single mom, lives in another state, and is co-owner of a hiking adventure company. Hardin is a soccer god in Europe. For the last ten years he has been paying a private detective to find Mac, with no results until recently. And now he came to get his woman back!
Initially, there was misgiving and defensiveness in their reunion on Kenna’s part, but eventually there was forgiveness. Their shared stories brought a lot of pain and anger. It was such a horrible tale of interference and hate! But what made this story truly magnificent was the integrity and kindness of the people that helped Kenna when she arrived in Colorado, and brought her into their family. It was so heartening to find a group of persons giving support and friendship, initially to a young pregnant woman, then to her son.
The first part of the book is arranged in flashbacks, the story is told in duel POV’s. The flashbacks are a necessary part of the book, to explain the characters’ back story. I found that the arrangement was a little choppy and the story didn’t flow as smoothly as desired. It didn’t make the story confusing but the placement could have been better planned. Even so, this was a enthralling second chance book with heartwarming characters. It’s the kind you like to read again and again to rejoice in the feelings!
I’m not one to automatically reach for books in third person. I never really saw the appeal of it. Hearts Don’t Lie, is the first book that I read in a while that was in third person, and I absolutely loved it. It was sweet and loving and I couldn’t get enough of it. I loved Hardin and Mac’s relationship and I loved it both in the before and the present. Their relationship pulled at your heart strings and bring in Stowe and to became even better.
I really liked this story and plan on reading more from Sutton Bishop and more of this series.
4 stars.
My own personal warning label – Bring tissues. Expect your heart to break more than a few times. Trust Ms. Bishop – she fixes everything.
This book is just absolutely stunningly, beautifully, written.
This is a second chance romance, but it’s also a coming home novel, and the faith in true binding love no matter the odds.
The story kicks off in present day Colorado. We’re introduced to a woman named Kenna, with a chapter heading of “Mac”. It threw me as first as well. All is revealed somewhat shortly.
Set in a small tight knit town in Colorado, Kenna owns her own wilderness adventures company with her best friend Cori and has an 11 year old son named Stowe.
Let me pause here to say, outside of the plot which will rightfully pull you in, this story is also a silent testament to utter kick ass, take charge, fearless women. It’s written in such a way that it’s only after you digest everything else that you realize how many female characters there are and how many of them are in somewhat untraditional roles. They are all strong independent women who support each other unconditionally. (Huge hugs and claps for this Ms. Bishop!)
Back to the actual stuff. Kenna is discussing her latest, unplanned, and surprise long weekend trek..when Cori drops the real bomb on Kenna. The customer is Hardin Ambrose.
Kenna faints and the world goes black. No. Actually.
From this point on Hardin and Kenna (Mac) become one couple working at opposite ends to find their middle.
We learn that while Hardin is now a MEFL player (I think of this as Europe’s version of Premiere League – soccer) he and Kenna, formerly Mac, were teenage lovers. Their back story is tragic.
They attended rival schools in high school. Hardin saw Mac as a cheerleader at one of his matches against her school. He later tracks her down in town and charms her into a date.
Mac and Hardin have everything going against them. Mac is smart. Like SMART. This has her a grade above her age in school, but still a minor by Illinois law. Hardin is smart as well, but just a normal 18 year old senior. In most cases, not unusual or upsetting.
Except Mac is dirt poor, living with an abusive mother who could care less about her child, and Hardin is from a wealthy family so wrapped up in appearances and net worth that they have apparently lost their souls. As well as their ability to be actual humans.
The couple are counting down the days till Mac graduates and can join Hardin in North Carolina and college. Unfortunately, one random slip on the young couple’s part leads them down a MUCH darker and more twisted path. Not noticing the passage of time or impending weather, the lovers are interrupted by the local cops worried about their safety while out on a date in a field. The cops learn that they are both there willingly, and neither drunk or stoned. They warn Hardin that he is an adult and can’t be out with Mac, a minor. Trying to help the couple out, the cops offer to drop Mac at home and allow Hardin to leave.
This is where our lovers part. 12 years pass. Mac is a figment on pieces of paper that disappeared once graduation came. Hardin had been unable to reach or see Mac after their last date (reasons for which are covered in the plot). All he knows is she’s gone.
Once a professional and out of his parent’s control Hardin begins a ten year search that leads him to a mysterious Kenna Eliot in Colorado.
Hardin and Mac (Kenna) spend a long weekend punishing their bodies with hard hikes through altitude changes during the day, and unburdening their souls at night. We hear Hardin’s side of events post last date on night one and Mac’s on night two.
The former lovers exit the wilderness slightly more understanding of events that lead to their current lives, but still somewhat adrift on the “what next?”.
Hardin makes the choice to knowingly blow off contractual obligations to his team in Spain in order to uncover more of Mac’s life. He decides to extend his stay in Mac’s town.
He quickly learns that while their love is very much still alive for each other, there is more than just the two of them in this plot. Mac has a son. One that Hardin believes to be from a marriage that he thinks she had. Hardin never really pushes this theory for confirmation though.
Shortly, he learns that Stowe is very much not a child from a prior marriage. Hardin then puts plans into play to remove himself from the professional sports world entirely and enter into a new life in Colorado with Mac and Stowe.
Ms. Bishop adds in some testing of Hardin’s character by Mac’s adopted family and her friends. He drives his friend and manager to fear due to his ghosting of not only his club, but calls from his agent. Finally there is one last encounter with Hardin and his parents. This encounter leaves things in destructive panic and dangerous consequences.
It does lead Mac and Hardin to their final and very well deserved happy ever after.
There is so very very much that I’m skimming over not trying to drop spoilers or plot ruin. I need you all to read this book so I can openly book club it. So so much to unpack.
Mac is an utterly, heart grippingly, strong female who endures so much in her life. This is a person who deserves good things, all the time.
Hardin is that unicorn of a guy. He’s from a wealthy family, but he’s seen as a pawn or bargaining chip. His parents use him as a status symbol. Hardin has a heart of gold and a wealth of love that is just there. He loves hard when people look past all the wrapping and see HIM.
Ms. Bishop compares Hardin to Messi. A very successful, very famous, Argentinian soccer player who plays for Barcelona at club level. I’m not a Messi fan. Personal reasons. Not sure I like the guy as a person. To me, Hardin is Christian Pulisic….but with searing blue eyes instead of brown. And playing for a Premiere League team. (I’m a Pulisic fan )
Regardless of fan girl status – this book delivers on so many levels of good. You won’t be disappointed with this read.
Hearts Don’t Lie by Sutton Bishop is a beautiful second-chance romance full of recreating love between Mac and Hardin.
Mac and Hardin found love many years ago, but life got in the way, and their plans of forever didn’t happen.
Twelve years later, Hardin is determined to get Mac back, but their journey to one another is not pain-free.
This was a fantastic book and will captivate you from the start.
This book took me a bit to get into. I was just a little confused by the back and forth through time in the beginning in the book (but I was so glad for it because it was necessary). Once I got used to moving through time in Hardin and Mac’s story I really started to love the two of them so much and my heart broke for both of them.
This is a beautiful second chance romance between two soul mates who lost twelve years because of the selfishness of others and they were not the only ones who lost out.
First time reading anything by this author, this is a series but I was not lost by not reading the first book. I will definitely be on the look out for any more!
**I was generously provided with an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review**
Hearts don’t lie…NO they don’t. The heart wants what the heart wants!!
This was a fantastic read. All the feels and so much more. A second chance romance that will take you through all the emotions.
When you know you know! But when those who think they know better decide to interfere, things go horribly wrong. This is what Mac and Hardin find out the hard way!
This is a story of true love and how it will find it’s way no matter what!
It’s well written with great characters.
Kenna is strong and independent, she’s has to be with what she’s faced. She’s now settled with a great business and great friends. When she receives a business request from an unexpected name from the past, everything she’s worked hard for is about to be blown wide open!
Hardin, world famous European football star, everything he’s worked hard to achieve, but not everything he wants. 12 years he’s searched and now he’s found what he’s looking for. He wants answers and isn’t about to give up.
Secrets are about to be unveiled, for better or worse…that’s the big question.